SHADE TREES. 



173 



work. The use of worthless disinfectants, the improper shaping of the 

 cavity opening, and many other wrong methods show a total disregard 

 for the first principles of scientific treatment and for common sense. It 

 is unfortunate that so many have undertaken to do tree repair work with- 



FIG. 38. — Showing cross-section illustrating the eyebolt and the 

 stranded wire method of attachment. (Compare Fig. 39.) 



out adequate training or special aptitude for it. There are innumerable 

 so-called "tree experts," "tree specialists," etc., whose whole experience 

 consists in having filled one or two tree cavities. They possess little 

 or no knowledge of trees or tree problems. Too much stress is also laid 

 on the external appearance and smoothness of their cavity work. They 

 seemingly fail to realize that the 

 scientific treatment of a wound 

 or cavity is fully as important 

 as its appearance when done. 



The principal advance in cav- 

 ity work has consisted in more 

 thorough cleaning and more 

 effective antiseptic treatment, 

 and some improvement has been 

 made in the technique of cement 

 work. However, these innova- 

 tions are of minor importance, 

 considering the extent of the 

 work done and the opportunities 

 offered for improvement in the 

 scientific and rational treatment 

 of cavities. 



Methods of treating Canities. 

 — The greatest need in tree 

 cavity work at the present time 

 is more suitable material and 

 improvement in methods of 



doing the work. There is no reason why a cavity should be filled, — • 

 in fact, there are reasons why it should not. The principal problems as- 

 sociated with cavity work are those involving the eliminating of fillings 

 of all descriptions. A durable material with physical properties similar 

 to those of the tree to direct the callus growth must also be found. 



There are several methods for the treatment of cavities, some of which 

 were|_tirst used years ago. Brick and stone laid in cement have been used 



FIG. 39. — Illustrating eyebolt and stranded 

 wire method of attachment. 



